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The apocalypse is a topic and setting that countless games have explored throughout the years, but we can’t quite put our finger on why. Maybe it’s because we find some source of solace in their cautionary tales of a bleak future that’s yet to come. Maybe it’s because in these darkest of times, true heroes arise. Or maybe it’s just because we like roaming the wastelands in search of mutated ghouls to fight.

No matter the reason, here are 10 games that will help prepare you for when the world ends.

Fallout 76

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It’s fitting that a list about the apocalypse starts with Fallout, a series synonymous with the topic. Through the Fallout games have always had us roaming the wastelands by ourselves, November’s Fallout 76 is making the whole thing more social. The idea of scavenging with pals, crafting a makeshift shelter, and launching a couple of nukes at our enemies seems downright awesome. But only time will tell if this drastic shift to the series will alienate some longtime fans.

The Last of Us: Part 2

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The Last of Us: Part 2’s incredible E3 showcase highlighted the dichotomy of a good post-apocalypse story. Seeing Ellie find some semblance of normality, happiness, and even love in a world gone to hell showed us the good in humanity. Of course, seeing the blood she’ll have to spill and the pain she’ll have to endure showed us that all coins have two sides. We’re not exactly sure when Naughty Dog will release this sequel, but we’re more than happy to give them all the time in the world.

Death Stranding

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So this one’s a little bit tricky. We’re actually not quite sure what the hell Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding is about. But watching Norman Reedus transport a messiah-like tube baby across barren landscapes point to things not being quite right with the world. Couple this with invisible Cthulhu and what seems like a reality-shattering atomic explosion, and it’s a safe bet that this game is going to dabble in the apocalypse.

Resident Evil 2

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There’s no shortage of games dealing with a zombie apocalypse, and we have the Resident Evil series to thank for that. That’s why we’re so stoked to go back to Raccoon City next year with the Resident Evil 2 Remake. The opening 20 minutes showed Leon Kennedy’s absolutely terrifying descent into hell, with incredible lighting, scarce ammunition, and some of the goriest zombies we’ve ever seen in games. January can’t come soon enough.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

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While a lot of the games on this list focus on shambling hordes of the undead, Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s depiction of the apocalypse leans more into the mythological. In this third installment of Lara’s reboot, not only does she have to deal with dark jungles, spooky tombs, and a paramilitary out to kill her, but there’s that whole “impending Mayan apocalypse” thing.

Rage 2

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Before its pre-E3 leak, Rage 2 was the sequel that none of us expected. But Bethesda is betting big on it, pairing the talents of Id Software and Avalanche Studios. But unlike some of the bleaker games of this list, Rage has a decidedly-Andrew WK-like tone. Rage 2’s version of the apocalypse feels more like a cross between Mad Max: Fury Road, Borderlands, and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.

Overkill’s The Walking Dead

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Overkill’s take on The Walking Dead looks to be quite a bit different than what we’ve grown to expect from Telltale’s games. We won’t be spending heartbreaking moments with the likes of Lee and Clementine. Instead, this cooperative Walking Dead game is from the folks who worked on the Payday series, so expect something much more similar to Left 4 Dead.

The Division 2

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Ubisoft’s grim portrayal of a world gone to hell is moving from New York City to Washington DC. Like a few of the aforementioned games, cooperation with your friends is crucial in order to survive this depiction of the apocalypse, and help restore some semblance of order to a country that’s fallen into chaos.

Wasteland 3

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Wasteland 2 was one of our favorite RPGs of 2014, and this sequel seems to be carrying the same torch. Wasteland 3 was a huge kickstarter success, hitting its funding goal in just three days. This sequel promises the same high level of tactical RPG combat, player freedom, and tough choices, along with the same DNA of the original Fallout games.

Days Gone

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Finally we have Days Gone, the long-awaited zombie survival game from Sony Bend. Its unique setting of the Pacific Northwest combined with the giant number of Freakers present in the game’s hordes have us excited, but it’ll have a lot of competition when it launches on a very crowded February 22, 2019 alongside Metro: Exodus and Anthem.

There you have it, 10 apocalyptic games we’re looking forward to. Which one do you want to play most?

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